KONNECTING! Dear Readers,
CONTENTS JANUARY 2010 I KONNECTV
W
e wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous
2010. 2009 has been an incredible year for us at KonnecTV, with the launch of our new product - the family entertainment package. We thank you all for the support and response which has been very encouraging and has made our effort to bring the best of Indian entertainment from back home even more worthwhile. Zee TV has started from Dec 18 Dance India Dance Season -2, claimed to be India's biggest dance talent show. After the success of its first season, the reality show has emerged as the ideal platform for talented and aspiring dancers to become dancing sensations. Music Ka Maha Muqabla promises to be a path breaking show which comprises best singing talent ready to outwit one another, starting Dec 19 on Star Plus. NDTV Imagine, with blockbuster movies on the weekends Pati Patni Aur Woh and Raaz and two reality shows, still stays high up on the popularity chart. Watch classics and foot tapping music on B4U. You can now watch all your favourite programs on Star Plus and NDTV Imagine at Australia prime time. In the Bollywood world, the year 2009 saw a number of hits like Paa, Wake Up Sid, Kambakhht Ishq, Love Aaj Kal, Dil Bole Hadippa, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Wanted, Rocket Singh and 3 Idiots. 2010 too promises to be an entertaining year with movies like Karan Johar's My Name is Khan, Veer, Rann, Teen Patti among many others, on their way. We look forward to hearing from you. Please write to us on info@konnectv.com or call us Monday to Friday between 9 am and 7 pm. Log on to our website www.konnectv.com.au for Channel updates and highlights.
ABHISHEK NARANG CEO
THE TUBE 24
COVER STORY Pyaar Impossible A shy geek Uday Chopra in love with glamorous Priyanka!
5 Music Maha Muqabala Six singing superstars and their six teams take part in a path breaking spectacle.
Now groom-in-waiting will be multifaceted personality, Rahul Mahajan.
9
TINSEL TALK 8 Kat on his tail Katrina is hot on Ranbir's tail, even looking for a house near his residence.
8 Ambitions of SRK 12
Shah Rukh says he wants to be the world's biggest porn star.
BEAUTY TIPS 36 secrets.
Katrina Kaif talks about her beauty
STAR TALK
Disclaimer January 2010 I 2 I KonnecTV
The dance talent show is back with its second season.
6 Swayamvar Season 2
Publisher: KonnecTV Australia Suite 1B, 137-139 Silverwater Rd, Silverwater NSW 2128 Tel: 1300 797 012 Fax: 1300 794 210 Abhishekn@konnectv.com www.konnectv.com.au Ad enquiries please write to us at: info@konnectv.com Design: DIP Media
KonnecTV does not guarantee the authenticity or take any responsibility (in any way) of the material in any advertisement or discount voucher.
4 Dance India Dance
28 Shahid Kapur 13
Chance Pe Dance has given him the opportunity to dance in a new way.
Y
ahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli is the story of the Thakur family. The family owns a palatial house in Ujjain and the head of the family Thakur Uday Pratap Singh (played by veteran actor Alok Nath), is a proud man who believes in living a rich lifestyle. He would not under any circumstances compromise on his pride and principles. His daughter Swarn Abha (protagonist of the serial played by Suhasi Dhami) has been brought up in a very comfortable environment and is closely attached to her family, especially her father. Unfortunately, the family faces the unforeseen and is expected to live life of adjustments and struggle. What stays to be watched is whether Swarn Abha would be able to cope with the circumstances, keeping her dad's pride intact.
I
ndia's biggest dance talent show, Lux Dance India Dance on Zee TV is back with its second season. After the success of its first season, the reality show has emerged as the ideal platform for talented and aspiring dancers to become dancing sensations. Season 2 brings higher level of competition for promising trained and professional dancers. The participants compete under the patronage of three well-known masters Remo D'Souza, Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis. Mithunda continues to be the Grandmaster helping the participants realizes their dream of becoming India's next Dancing Star. The show is the ultimate dance and musical extravaganza
January 2010 I 4 I KonnecTV
T T
his is a love story of two people who are together for all the wrong reasons. An unre fined boy who doesn't understand the meaning of love but desires to acquire whatever he sets his eyes on and a girl who is helpless and can save herself and her family by giving into his demands. The Saxena family believe in educating their daughters without any hesitation. Krishna the goon makes Pratigya's life his business. His obsession towards Pratigya doesn't take long for Pratigya and her family to realize that there is some guy who is after her.
his is a story of Godavari Thakker & her family consisting of six sons, two daugh ters, their spouses and children. The authoritative matriarch, has worked very hard to raise her 8 children and is very proud of her achievements. Godavari's family and its problems are no different from any middle class family residing in this busy city of Mumbai. While the men are at work, (theirs is no family business) the women are busy doing their bit to run the house and also win over the goodwill of their Baa (mother-in-law). In the second season of the show, the much loved characters of this show as they enter into a renovated Krishna Villa, their family home. There are new challenges to face and aspirations to fulfill.
The family decides to get Pratigya married soon and Pratigya also willingly agrees for it.
T
he fervor of music reality shows has now grown into a breathtaking crescendo with a path breaking spectacle- Music Ka Maha Muqabala - Six Singing Superstars and their six Teams!
This will truly be the Clash of the Titans where the Star Singers of India, leading their own team, will clash against each other to make their team supreme. Each Star Singer will have three singers from Indian singing talent hunts and one new Singer each hand picked by the Star Singer. Team Captains: 1 Himesh Reshammiya, 2 Shaan, 3 Mika Singh, 4 Shreya Ghoshal, 5 Mohit Chauhan, 6 Shankar Mahadevan Every episode will be a war between two teams. The other four captains will be the judges for the day. Also acting as neutral judges would be two Bollywood personalities. There would also be the scores given by the live audience through the scoring pads provided to them at the ground. The winner of each episode would, hence be decided by calculating the Judges' scores and the Audience points. Each episode will be shot in a ground, witnessed by thousands of music lovers.
Sun, 17th Jan Time: 8:00
T
his warm-hearted comedy takes place in a household completely dominated by Durga Bhatnagar (Aruna Irani), an imposing matriarch who's desperate for a grandson and heir. Her youngest son, Bharat (Govinda), finally becomes a fatherbut the baby is yet another girl. To preserve his mother's fading health, he "borrows" the son of his best friend (Johnny Lever) and passes the child off as his own. Keeping up the ruse, however, proves more difficult than he expected
Starring: Govinda, Aruna Irani, Prem Chopra, Johnny Lever Director: T. Rama Rao
January 2010 I 5 I KonnecTV
G I
t was a show that had the entire nation intensely and personally involved in the search for the ideal groom for controversy's child, Rakhi Sawant. This winter, Imagine presents Season 2 of this hugely popular Swayamvar. Taking centre stage as the groom-in-waiting is the multi-faceted personality, Rahul Mahajan. Accustomed to living his life in full glare of the public, Rahul has decided to take the plunge and search for his bride on television through Imagine's Swayamvar - Season 2! The search for Rahul's ideal life partner begins with a nationwide audition process that starts with a call for entries followed by multi-city meetings and interviews with the shortlisted participants.
January 2010 I 6 I KonnecTV
har ki Baat Hai...' is a tingling light family comedy. The story revolves around the hilarious situations and events in the lives of a young couple, Rajdeep and Radhika Yagnik, living in Mumbai along with Radhika's unemployed brother Kapil Kumar aka Kaku. The constant one up situations between the brothers in-law and the wife playing the bridge between them gives way to a comedy of errors. How these diametrically different people unite as a family, is the essence of 'Ghar ki Baat Hai' Rajdeep Yagnik is a high profile executive always trying to struggle with his stress of achieving targets, an optimist and self proclaimed shayar, while his wife, Radhika is a shopaholic. The highlight of the show is the character of Mr. X, who portrays a different character in every episode.
K
atrina Kaif seems to have taken her sizzling chemistry with co-star Ranbir Kapoor in Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani quite seriously. Ever since Ranbir's breakup with actress Deepika Padukone, Katrina seems hot on his trail, with some media reports even claiming she's desperately looking for a house near his residence Krishna Raj bungalow in Mumbai's Chembur. In the past six months, the diva has seen at least six sea-facing houses in the range of over Rs 10 crore in the nearby areas, with speculated plans to move away from beau Salman Khan's Galaxy apartments in Bandra. The chase is not limited to the abode. Even on the professional front, Katrina has signed up to be a brand ambassador for an electronics giant, for which Ranbir is already the brand ambassador. She would be seen endorsing the `home appliances line' of the brand associated with Ranbir for quite some time now. Katrina even has a nickname for Ranbir. She calls him a puffin. "Ranbir is like a puffin, a colourful penguin. He has happy feet and on some days he can look really puffy," the actress was quoted saying in a TV interview.
S
hah Rukh Khan was in Delhi to release Arindam Chaudhuri's book on self-discovery, and he had everyone in splits with his witty one-liners Prof Arindam Chaudhuri made an impassioned speech about the people who'd influenced his life and motivated him - those like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, and Amitabh Bachchan. "My book, Discover The Diamond In You," is an attempt to share with everyone the powerful principles of success that I've grown to passionately believe in," he said. But trust Shah Rukh to do the unconventional. He took to the stage and said, "I was inspired by Rocky too. I wanted to be a porn star! (You see, Sylvester Stallone was one early on in his career). The witty-as-ever SRK went on, "I'm going to work
Porny
ambition very hard, positively, and with clarity, to be a porn star." He did later speak about hard work and honesty and things that motivate people to succeed. He asked everyone to read it, and said, "Main bhi padhoonga. Next time you hear about me, I'll be the world's biggest porn star." In the foreword to the book, Shah Rukh says, "Success, whether deserving or not, can be enjoyed, but not passed on. Success is never final, just like failure is never fatal!" This, coming from someone as successful as him, must be rich advice!
January 2010 I 8 I KonnecTV
R
anbir describes his break with Deepika as just a rough patch even as he reveals he would like to get back with her
Curse that beard
J
Love stories rarely ever tread a smooth path and the Ranbir KapoorDeepika Padukone relationship is no exception. The couple, who have been together for nearly two years, are currently going through what Ranbir describes as a "rough patch".
A courteous Ranbir could do nothing but comply. Clearly, the girl hadn't recognised Ranbir because of his beard. Later, as she realised, she looked at Ranbir and said, "Are you Ranbir? I am very sorry." Imran confirmed the story. No wonder Ranbir's cleanshaven now!
Everyone expected sparks to fly between Ranbir and his Anjana Anjani co-star Priyanka Chopra when they were shooting recently in Bangkok. "But," say sources, "Ranbir was too much into his own space to even notice his glamorous co-star. He spent most of his time, when not shooting, either at the gym or taking walks
A bearded Ranbir wasn't quite a hit with female fans ust a few days ago, Ranbir was din ing with friend Imran Khan at a subur ban restaurant in Mumbai. A 16-yearold girl walked into the restaurant with an older friend and sat a few tables away. A few minutes later, the young girl saw Imran. An eyewitness said, "She left her food midway and ran to Imran and Ranbir's table and gave her mobile to Ranbir and said, "Click my pictures with Imran," before posing with Imran.
Making up Love stories rarely ever tread a smooth path and the Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone relationship is no exception and visiting malls." Obviously his heart was somewhere else. Will they get back together? "I hope so," says Ranbir with a smile. This should be music to Deepika's ears. She, we hear, is equally miserable away from Ranbir. If they got together again, the plus is that she wouldn't have to hide her tattoo anymore.
Bowled over
F
arhan Akhtar keeps aside the Don 2 script he's been work ing on and gets talking about his hot co-star from Kartik Calling Kartik, Deepika Padukone. "There are no words to describe her beauty, she's extremely beautiful. Many will identify with me when I fall in love with her in the film. In the hot quotient, she ranks among the top three actresses in Bollywood... need I say more?" he asks. Farhan feels that the two share a wonderful chemistry, but he wanted to be doubly sure, so he
held a focus screening where he invited people from different age groups to come and watch it. "I called my driver's children and their friends, college students, housewives... and they felt the same," he says. Once on the show that he was hosting, Deepika had turned up as his guest, standing tall, towering over him. "In reality, we are of the same height. I actually measured her with a measuring tape," he laughs and adds, "she's got long legs, her posture makes her look tall..."
January 2010 I 9 I KonnecTV
Shocking award ‘I was in for a shock when I was called to come on stage. I was frozen on my seat for a while and didn't know how to react’
C
elina Jaitly was in for a shock when her name was announced as a Best Female Actor for her English film Love Has No Language in the recently held Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). While she was busy clapping for other actors and film makers who were being called on stage to be conferred awards, she was clueless that she had been nominated as a Best Actor as well.
January 2010 I 12 I KonnecTV
"I was invited for the event as a guest of honour. Since I am also an Egyptian tourism ambassador, it was double the reason for me to be present in the event. I knew that my film Love Has No Language had been a New Zealand entry for the film festival which saw entries from across the globe. However, I was in for a shock when I was called to come on stage. I was frozen on my seat for a while and didn't know how to react", says Celina. Some of the other prominent Bollywood personalities who came back home with awards were Madhur Bhandarkar, Irrfan Khan and Boney Kapoor.
On the D-day, Celina did make quite a few heads turn though. She got an outfit exclusively created for the event and wore a Neeta Lulla creation - a multihued Indo-Egyptian gown. Meanwhile this is not the last that Celina has seen of Cairo International Film Festival. From next year on, she would also be a member of honorary jury. "This is definitely thrilling and a great honour", comments Celina. Talking about Love Has No Language, the film is directed by Kahn Khan and stars New Zealand actor Ben Mitchell along with Rati Agnihotri and Kiran Kumar. The film has already been released in New Zealand.
T
winkle has a terrific sense of humour. Her superstar husband Akshay Kumar admits that he wouldn't be half as interesting as he is currently had it not been for his wife's razor sharp wit. Recently Twinkle accompanied her husband for a couple of high profile events. "And I thought I had walked into the events alone because every time I turned and looked my husband was in front of a television crew giving interviews.
Twinkle star ‘And I thought I had walked into the events alone because every time I turned and looked my husband was in front of a television crew giving interviews’
I had to finally request his bodyguards to drag him away," she jokes. "When it comes to choosing between the media and me, my husband may just choose them," she laughs. Akshay admits that at most times he follows Twinkle around like a little lamb, only once in a way he gets a chance to actually stray, in the direction of a mike.
E
ven the oft-cited reason 'the demand of the script' wasn't able to convince Vidya Balan for this one. The demure babe, who has shown her bold side in the promos of director Abhishek Chaubey's upcoming film Ishqiya, wasn't game to do dirty dancing in a steamy song with her co-stars Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah. Vidya's refusal to do the pelvic jig to the modern rendition of the 70s popular raunchy song 'Dhano ki aankhon mein' came as a surprise because she has kissed Warsi and even mouthed the dirty expletive Ch#@ in the film. Director Abhishek Chaubey and producer Vishal Bharadwaj eventually decided to shoot the song on Arshad and Naseer only. In the film the two play an uncle-nephew duo on the run from law. They take shelter in a home where they both fall for a beautiful girl played by Vidya, who manipulates them with her charms.
Dirty dancers The demure babe, who has shown her bold side in the promos of director Abhishek Chaubey's upcoming film Ishqiya, wasn't game to do dirty dancing in a steamy song
January 2010 I 13 I KonnecTV
Bruised body ‘The dress was undoubtedly gorgeous. But the problem with it was that it used to poke Sushmita all over her body’
T
he gorgeous Sushmita Sen was bruised while shooting for Dulha Mil Gaya. For a song in the film Sush wore a stunning golden gown.
Aamir is sorry I
t seems that Shah Rukh Khan has buried the hatchet with Aamir Khan ever since the "Ghajini" star apologized to his children for making fun of him. Shah Rukh said he has no hard feelings for his colleague.
The material however was such, that it poked the beautiful actress all over the body. Says a source from the production house, "The dress was undoubtedly gorgeous. But the problem with it was that it used to poke Sushmita all over her body. But she still wore the dress and went ahead with the shoot which took almost four days to finish completely." But the actress completed the song without
complaining. By the end of the shoot Sush's body was all bruised. Well looks like Sush doesn't mind going through a little pain to look gorgeous on screen.
"We often visit each other's home and we have love and respect for each other. I don't think there was any need for him to apologies because it is not really a big thing for me. Both of us don't take these things seriously but it is the media that exaggerates the whole situation," Shah Rukh said. Aamir tendered an apology to Shah Rukh's kids for hurting their sentiments before taking a pot shot at the latter when he mentioned his wife Kiran in an answer to a reporter as "Kkk... Kiran" - a dialogue made famous by Shah Rukh in his 1993 hit "Darr". "I've offered my heartfelt apologies to Shah Rukh's kids, not to Shah Rukh but to his kids," Aamir had recently said.
SRK's reading habits
S
hah Rukh Khan is quite a vo racious reader. What are his kind of books? Motivational ones? Or fiction? "I read anything and everything, yaar," he says. "There are these charts na, the popular, top ten charts? Whatever I see topping on them say the New York Times bestseller charts, I buy those books when I am moving in and out of the airports. And loads of times, it is these kind of books that make it to the top seller position - like the Outliers. Of course, the Outliers is very well written," he says. So now we know what book he's recently picked up… "Of course, I normally don't finish them, but I do skim through them. Because I like to know how and what people write and more than that, I am interested in knowing what people are reading." January 2010 I 15 I KonnecTV
S COOL Kat
alman Khan and Katrina Kaif performed at a concert in Dubai but what Kat did was not a full-on performance but just a mock jig. Actually that special night was Salman-Katrina nite and both the stars were supposed to dance on some hit numbers for the stage show, but, to the organizers' dismay, the show could have flopped. Professional Kat was suffering from low Hemoglobin level and was advised bed rest - no dancing, and no singing. In fact, she was advised by docs to not indulge in any kind of physical activity even if she is offered crores for it. Becharey organizers knew that people have paid staggering entry fees for the double act and seeing only Salman on the show can enrage them to no limits. So Kat was pursued, coaxed and cajoled to attend the event. Then, with doc's permission, she agreed just for a mock jig and saying 'Hi' and 'Hello' to the crowd and for blowing some flying kisses as well.
January 2010 I 16 I KonnecTV
A
Getting old Buzz has it that Aishwarya will be playing an old lady in a few scenes in Vipul Shah's forthcoming film Action Replay, for which she will have intensive make up sessions with Hollywood make up artists
fter Amitabh Bachchan's ground breaking transformation to Auro in Paa, its now the turn of daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan to undergo a drastic makeover. Buzz has it that Aishwarya will be playing an old lady in a few scenes in Vipul Shah's forthcoming film Action Replay, for which she will have intensive make up sessions with Hollywood make up artists. Besides Ash, Action Replay also stars Akshay Kumar and Randhir Kapoor. The film is currently under production and is expected to release in April 2010.
Panch sheel A
sin, who's slipped effortlessly between Bollywood and cinema of the South, says that language is not a condition for her while choosing films at all. What matters are her five 'set' criteria, "The script, my role, the director, the producer and my co-stars," she says, "Doing movies in another language is not a problem at all. I didn't know most of these languages before entering the industry. Thankfully, I have a flair for languages and I never used a dubbing artiste." So choosing movies involves careful calculation for her? "I'm not calculative at all," she quickly responds, "I have not made any strategies or plans. Frankly, I'm not consciously thinking of a balance so to say, but finally it all depends on what comes my way. Right now, I have one or two Hindi movies in hand."
We hear that she plans to go back to Tamil films... "My journey in Bollywood has been great. I feel if you're working in any cinema, be it Bollywood or down South, the audience's reaction is the same for you. I find myself welcome in Bollywood, and I'm very comfortable here. January 2010 I 17 I KonnecTV
P
antaloons Femina Miss India Pooja Chopra may not have made it to the Miss World finals, with the crown going to Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, but she did bag the prestigious Beauty With a Purpose tag at the contest. The Indian beauty queen met with an accident and twisted her ankle just two days before the pageant night. She looked stunning in a white gown as she posed gracefully on the stage. Pooja's sister Shubhra Mendonca, speaking after Pooja was eliminated from the Miss World '09 contest held in Johannesburg, South Africa, said, "Pooja has definitely made India proud. I am getting calls from all over India. But I still believe that if she had not been injured, she would have surely got the crown home. She had taken heavy painkillers just to be on stage. She was crying backstage too. She was shattered because of this mishap. In the 23 years of her existence, Pooja has always been a winner, be it Miss Pune or at the NDA ball."
Miss India Pooja Chopra
'Beauty With a Purpose' The Indian beauty queen met with an accident and twisted her ankle just two days before the pageant night. She looked stunning in a white gown as she posed gracefully on the stage
Earlier, the title of Beauty With a Purpose won Pooja a fast-track entry into the Miss World 2009 Semi Finals. This special annual award programme chooses Miss World contestants who have shown, through charitable works, to have made a real difference to people in need in her country. Pooja was supporting a campaign to save the girl child back home. Not long ago, a despondent Pooja, suffering from an ankle injury had said, "I already feel I am out of the competition." She had been recommended three weeks' bed rest by the doctor. However, this couldn't deter this brave girl's spirit, and she vowed to carry on. The silver lining came with the announcement of 'Beauty With a Purpose' title. The other nominees for the position were Miss Barbados and Miss Guatemala. At the Miss World '09 pageant, where all the contestants walked down the ramp confidently in high heels, Pooja appeared on the stage with a cast on. Bursting into tears after she was announced as a semi-finalist, she hugged anchor Angela Chow and said, "I am speechless at this moment."
Priyanka Chopra presents the title to Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino
Chopra the judge
A
nother Chopra girl, Bollywood actress and Miss World 2000 Priyanka says she enjoyed being on the jury of the Miss World 09 contest. She later tweeted from Johannesburg, "Wow! Eerie feeling.. I'm so excited! ... Sitting and watching the rehearsals.. All the girls walking out in their finery... So nostalgic.. It's almost like I can hear their thoughts." At Johannesburg, Priyanka told PTI that it is wrong to expect the winning beauty to change the world. "Miss World is not the President of a country, and people should not expect her to be that," she said. The 59th edition of the contest saw beauties from 112 countries participating, and Priyanka says that the winner of the pageant is just another girl doing her bit to help. "She's just a girl who has been given this pedestal of power and position and she is going to do her bit to help whoever needs help, especially because the Miss World organisation does so much for children who are disadvantaged, sick and underprivileged," Priyanka said.
Shubhra added, "My mother is also in South Africa, and just told me that everybody is congratulating her. Being an elder sister, I was quite worried for her and had initially advised her to back out, but Pooja was furious to hear this. She replied, 'It's not Pooja Chopra participating in Miss World, it's Miss India.� It was a glorious moment for Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino when she was announced as the new Miss World 2009 at Gallagher Convention Centre on December 12 in Johannesburg, South Africa
JanuaryOctober 2010 I 18 I KonnecTV 2009 I 8 I KonnecTV
Still rocking A
mitabh Bachchan dozed off at the felicitation ceremony in Chennai where he was honoured by the film federations of Chennai. He bought 24 shawls in Chennai. Asked what he would do with this massive haul, the Big B replied, ìIíll give them away to the needy.î Extreme exhaustion finally caught up with him when he dozed off in his hotel before the felicitation ceremony and woke up thoroughly disoriented, not knowing where he was.
Kat’s the sexiest! K
atrina Kaif has retained the top spot in an annual list of the worldís 50 sexiest Asian women. Kat beat off competition from other beauties to hold on to the Eastern Eye crown that she won last year. In fact, it was a field day for India as Indian actresses took eight of the top 10 spots. The top 10 Sexiest Asian Women are ñ Katrina, Priyanka Chopra, Freida Pinto, Brit Laila Rouass, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Pakistani Mehwish Hayat and Deepika Padukone.
January 2010 I 22 I KonnecTV
Director Balki who was with Big B, says, ìHe was fine. He finally had some sleep. Youíve to understand that this is no ordinary human being. Amitji is a miracle. He can continue working non-stop without sleep. Last week he was running around getting the premiere in place. Then on Friday morning, he left to shoot for Bigg Boss without any sleep after the premiere. After shooting the entire day in Lonavla, he attended the Bombay Times party and then on Saturday early morning he left for Chennai. At an age when a lot of us will be in a rocking chair, he is still rocking.î
‘He was fine. He finally had some sleep. You’ve to understand that this is no ordinary human being. Amitji is a miracle. He can continue working non-stop without sleep’
M
esmerizing beauty Priyanka Chopra's next rom-com titled Pyaar Impossible is a story of courtship between a simple man and the woman who is every man's dream. On the occasion of the launch of the movie website, Piggy Chops as she is fondly called, got into a nostalgic mode. She gushed over a candid confession, saying, ''Back then, during my school days in Boston USA, when I was in my 8th grade, I had a major crush on a fellow classmate. But a major geek that I was, shedding my inhibitions was a Herculean task. It is hard to believe, but I used to pretend to stay invisible in his presence. I didn't how or what to say and start my conversation.'' No wonder years later, in Pyaar Impossible, she is visualizing this movie as a role reversal of sorts. And that's why the script of the film won over the nerd turned drop-dead gorgeous damsel instinctively. Admits Priyanka, ''When I heard the script I could easily relate and understand it. Because I think somewhere even I went through it.'' Pyaar Impossible pairs her with Uday
Chopra who plays a shy, reticent geek character. Thus watching them together onscreen will make the audiences speculate if it's impossible for these two to fall in love. The much anticipated and adorable romantic comedy, being made under the prestigious Yash Raj Films banner, was earlier scheduled for November but now its release has been postponed to January 2010. Produced by Uday Chopra and directed by Jugal Hansraj, the unusual love story Pyaar Impossible will now release in the New Year for strategic and logistical reasons. Once bitten, not shy at all A few relationships gone kaput hasn't made Priyanka pessimistic about love. Once bitten, the lady isn't shying away from the possibility of falling in love again. Ironic considering the title of her film Pyaar Impossible.
Pyaar Impossible but love possible
January 2010 I 24 I KonnecTV
Promoting the movie, she told the reporters that 'Pyaar Impossible' is a film everyone can easily relate to. "It's a very sweet and interesting film. And I believe every person would be able to relate to it because every person at some point of time in their life thinks that they love someone whom they cannot get, and cannot have in their own life," Priyanka said. She was with the film's writer and co-actor Uday Chopra, who plays a geek in the film. Priyanka herself has gone through two relationships in a not-so-long span of time. Her long affair with Harman Baweja came to an end even before she shot the movie What's Your Raashee with him. She and Shahid Kapoor became an item during the shoot of Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey. But now it's rumoured that the couple has parted ways while agreeing to remain friends, though. "Well, I am a firm believer in love and I always believe that love is never impossible, and this film will hopefully second that," Priyanka said without revealing anything personal about her love life. Asked how she handles success at a young age, the former Miss World said: "I have always been grounded. I have an incredible passion for what I do (acting). I don't know how to do anything else, I don't want to do anything else and I love what I do. There's nothing else that affects me." What about growing expectations from audiences and critics? "It scares me when my films release. I wonder if people will like it or not. That for me is the most important thing. But at the same time I think: what's the point of living a life without any expectations? You will just stagnate, become complacent - that's not the kind of person I am. I like striving, I like things that challenge me; I take up difficult films and difficult roles to challenge myself," Priyanka said.
“
Well, I am a firm believer in love and I always believe that love is never impossible, and this film will hopefully second that
”
"I like it when people say things like 'Fashion' was a femalecentric movie and yet it was successful and that 'Kaminey' was an all-boys film, still my part was really appreciated, and 'Dostana' was majorly on gay guys, and it ended so well. I enjoy that - I like the fact that I can take up different scripts. "It's just that I like to take up challenges," she added. Perfect husband In another interview she said, "I need a guy who can make me feel like I'm walking on air." That is her idea of a perfect husband. After her alleged kink up and break up with Shahid Kapoor, Piggy Chops is still very hopeful about future. She wants a true die hard romantic man as husband. Priyanka said, "No plans of settling down at the moment. But when I do… Mr. Right has to match a lot of my parameters… He has to be someone who knows how to make me feel special." "He has to be somebody who loves me for who I am and takes pride in being with me. He also has to be honest and be able to speak well… make me laugh… all in all, somebody who really really loves me," she adds. January 2010 I 25 I KonnecTV
Favourites bite the dust surprises galore in JATA cricket
A
s a great cricketer once said, Twenty 20 Cricket is like a Woman and the only predictable feature amongst the two is that they are both unpredictable! The hot favourites of the JATA Rolling Shield'09, the Champions of 2008 - the Bendigo Bank team and the Runner's Up Punjab XI have lost miserably in this year's tournament and could not even manage to get off the ground to qualify for the Super16 series. Both of them have lost in such a manner that they decided to forfeit their last game. The interesting thing about this year's competition is that the teams had been pooled into 10 different groups with teams of similar grades and this resulted in cut throat competition and as Charles Dickens said "Survival of the fittest", the best team emerged from each group. The last of the Round Robin stage was concluded on the 13th of December. There was a lot of excitement in the air with almost 16 decider matches played at six different venues across the state. JATA Group had organised a charity fund raiser event at the Kinglake Cricket Club to provide the much needed support and motivation to the players and locals of the bushfire affected areas. It was received with much enthusiasm and excitement by one and all. According to the club president, the best part of this tournament was that everyone joined together to celebrate for the first time after the Black Saturday bushfires and at least were able to forget the saddest 10 months of their past and enjoyed like they once used to. It meant more than anything to everyone involved. Kinglake Cricket Club had hosted four games on the same day at their grounds and attracted well over 600 locals and supporters from Melbourne to cheer the players and support the
January 2010 I 26 I KonnecTV
noble cause. The event was covered by the Media Partners 3AW & Indus Age besides Channel Ten, ABC Radio, SEN 1116 and many other local radio channels that are actively involved in those bushfire affected areas. The whole town of Kinglake was celebrating the festive atmosphere and were so excited with the T20 matches that they requested the organisers of the JATA Rolling Shield to let them host some of the Super16 matches which Raja Jata agreed to and now Kinglake Cricket Club hosts two of the eight Super16 matches. Three teams from Melbourne will travel to Kinglake to battle for their chance to be part of the Semi-Finalists. Kinglake CC, Strathaven CC, Yarra Glen CC, Marysville CC & Flowerdale Cricket Club took part in the competition on the day and the Kinglake Cricket Club came victorious and looking forward to fight for the championship. The event was presided over by Liberal Party Leader Mr. Nitin Gupta and Ms. Donna Patrovic MP who took time out to support the players, visit local farmers and the community to learn the slow but steady regeneration of the community that had lost almost everything. According to Nitin Gupta, it was a heart touching moment when one of the local farmers broke into tears while talking about their loss and the grief of living without their loved ones who perished in the Black Saturday bush fires. Ms. Donna Patrovic was kind to offer an opportunity of having Luncheon at the Parliament with a VIP tour of the premises for the winners of the Raffles on the day. Both Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia had been on the front foot in supporting this noble cause and donated Team Australia and Bush Rangers signed jerseys for the raffles besides a rare and memorable opportunity to meet the Australian Cricket Team at the Boxing Day Test (including tickets for 2) during their training session and a meeting with the Skipper Ricky Ponting himself. The day could not get any better. To support this noble cause, Sportsmart - the official supplier for the JATA Rolling Shield - had donated training kits to all the participating clubs and a cash prize of $100 for the 'Man of the Day' which a 13 year old junior player of Strathaven Cricket Club took away with a half-century and three wickets against the Senior players, a kid with a great potential! In the other matches across the state, the match against Rue Bablons, previously known as the Calypso Kings lead by ex-West Indies player Darrel Brown and
the last years champions Bendigo Bank of the Group Panachee is worth a mention. Rue Bablons lost to Bendigo Bank in Semi-Finals at the last year's tournament and this year they came back with vengeance. Bendigo Bank made 141 in 20 overs for 5 wickets and the Rue Bablons made it look easy by scoring 142 in 11 overs and won with 10 wickets. You could see Chris Gayle's influence on the reigning star that scored an unbeaten century in 53 balls leading their team to the Super16s from the Group Panachee. Other match that deserves a mention is from the Group Hercules between Knight Riders and Saffronians. Knight Riders was all out for 77 which the Saffronians easily chased down in 4.1 overs with an unbeaten 61 off 19 balls. It was a repeat of the IPL's Knight Riders Vs Delhi Dare Devils. The following teams have made it to the Super16 phase which will be hosted at four different locations across the State on the 10th of Jan. Rue Bablons, Darley CC, Eagles, Thompson CC (Geelong), North Albury CC, Tallangatta CC (Albury), Shepparton United CC, Saffronians, Kinglake CC, Darebin Chargers, Koonung Warriors, Rebel Rangers, Drouin CC, Western warriors, Melbourne Ismaili CC and Tigers. The first rounds of the Super16 are hosted by Kinglake CC, Airport West CC, Warragul District Cricket Association and Albury Cricket Association (Lavington Panthers Oval) with two matches each commencing at 10am on Sunday the 10th of Jan. All the Quarter Finals would be hosted by Airport West Cricket Club on the 17th of Jan. The most improved team from last season was the Darebin Chargers who were previously known as the Fateh Cricket Club. They have not lost a single match this season and are currently the hot favourites. In fact, the longest sixer of the tournament was from the fiery batting of their Captain Vikas Dhingra who had always played the Captain's Innings leading their team into the Super16. Just to remind, he is the man behind the infamous new team 'Darebin Chargers' who are also proving their mettle at the VTCA competitions. The Semi Finals and Finals will be played at the TEAC Oval - Port Melbourne Cricket Club on the 24th of Jan and will be a day filled with fun, excitement and festive atmosphere that is aimed at providing the most unforgettable family experience to not just the players but all the supporters. You will be in for a carnival atmosphere with clowns, jugglers, performers, BBQ, jumping castles for children, drummers, mind blowing DJ war,
Bhangra, presentation ceremony and fireworks to finish the day. Book the day in you diary NOW. Entry is FREE!! To top it all, the matches will be recorded and telecast on KonnecTV network, courtesy of KonnecTV and the support of Abhishek Narang and Akshit Kumar who believe that these players deserve a chance to be seen by the wider audience to appreciate their talent.
F
rom the dirty train bogies in Kaminey to the dance stage in Chance Pe Dance, how has the change been? It's a huge change. Kaminey was a very different film. It was out of the box and I was happy with the outcome. Chance Pe Dance is a film that I can connect with easily as it is the journey of an actor. A lot of the incidents shown in the film actually happened to me. like my character Sameer, I too went for a lot of auditions and got rejected many times. There were days when I didn't have money to buy petrol for my car or even to pay rent. Chance Pe Dance is a simple and candid film. We have tried to keep it as real as possible. There is also a lot of dancing in the film which is some- thing that I love doing. We flew down Marty Kudelka, who is Justin Timber- lake's choreographer to incorporate something new, so people could see me dance in a new way.
Shahid Kapur Dancing in a new way What is the best compliment that you got for Kaminey?
How long did it take to get the eight packs’?
Whenever my father (actor Pankaj Kapur) likes something that I have done, it means a lot to me. He really liked my performance in Kaminey, and that, for me, is the biggest compliment.
I worked at them for about a year. I wasn't consciously working to achieve them. Rather, I was working towards getting the best body I could possibly have.
For someone who started as a dancing student in Shiamak Davar's troupe to starring in a dance film, can you tell us what dancing means to you?
Name the one food Item you missed when you were on the eight -pack diet.
Dancing means too many things to me-it's a way of expressing myself, a way of releasing energy, a way of letting go, whether I'm feeling happy or sad. Dancing is an art form, it has so many different emotions, it is an integral part of my life. I can't imagine my life without it. Name some of your favourite dancers. Michael Jackson was undoubtedly the King of Pop. No one can come close to him. Amongst the newer lot, I like Justin Timberlake and Usher. In India, I think Hrithik Roshan and Govinda are brilliant dancers. This is your third film with director Ken Ghosh. How would you describe your partnership with him? Ken and I share a great relationship. We can be very candid with each other because we have known each other before he became a director and I became an actor. We have a personal equation where we can be totally honest with one another. He doesn't need to treat me like a star but as a friend. This is a film both of us can connect with as we have both had our struggles trying to find a place for ourselves in the industry. I've always had great fun working with him. January 2010 I 28 I KonnecTV
I have a big sweet tooth and I couldn't have any sweets for a year which, for me, was the biggest sacrifice. How are you preparing for your dad, Pankaj Kapur's directorial film, Mausam? It's too early to talk about it as dad's still scripting it. The preparation will start after the script is ready. Dad tells me exactly what he expects from me.. Being my father's film, it is special and I will be available to him as and when he wants. I consider myself fortunate to be working with him and whatever he requires of me; I'll make sure I live I up to it. What is your response to stories of you not getting along with your directors, be it Vlshal Bhardwaj, Ken Ghosh or now Parmeet Sethi? Yes there are various stories that follow me. I think it's because I am a very private person and I don't like to come out and talk about a 100 things. That's just the way I am. I share a great equation with all my directors and that's all that matters. Linking me up with my heroine and saying that I had a fight with my director has become very predictable. Honestly, I don't care much about these stories.
Rare film which touches a chord Meticulously written by Jaideep Sahni, the genius behind such gems as Khosla Ka Ghosla and Chak De India, the script of Rocket Singh is its real star
R
ocket Singh is a clean, honest film with noble intentions. It requires patience to appreciate it fully. Like Swades and Lage Raho Munnabhai, it is a film about the importance of basic goodness. Ranbir Kapoor plays Harpreet Singh Bedi, an idealistic young graduate who lands a sales job in a computer firm run by a boss who sets unrealistic targets for his team. His rose-tinted glasses come off early in the day as he watches receptionists being wooed for prompt appointments with busy managers, and security guards being bribed for information on rivals. For his own part, he stays strictly upright, going so far as to file a complaint against a client who wants his palm greased. That act of honesty, however, is rewarded with a demotion. Convinced that a business can be run clean, Harpreet sets up his own company within the one he works for, roping in a handful of fellow colleagues as partners. Operating honestly and diligently, this team discreetly sets up a thriving business that eventually rivals the one they work for. Meticulously written by Jaideep Sahni, the genius behind such gems as Khosla Ka Ghosla and Chak De India, the script of Rocket Singh is its real star. Seeking inspiration in real life and real people, the film avoids stereotypes and goes for characters and situations that are refreshingly familiar - the team-leader who fudges conveyance vouchers, the cut-throat competitive co-workers, the porn-surfing maintenance guy, even the promotion-seeking receptionist.
January 2010 I 30 I KonnecTV
Tender, moving & melodramatic
D
irector R. Balki has cast the 67-yearold Amitabh Bachchan as Auro, a smart 12-year-old boy who has progeria - a rare, horribly disfiguring disease that accelerates aging. Abhishek, as Amol, plays Auro's father. But happily, Paa is much more than this gimmicky role reversal. It's tender and moving, and equally, clumsy and melodramatic, especially in the second half but Paa is worth a trip to the theatre. The first half of Paa moves beautifully. Balki briskly takes us through the romance between Amol and Vidya, played by Vidya Balan, that leads to Auro. They meet in college. When she gets pregnant, he suggests an abortion because he is ambitious and not ready to shoulder the burden of a family. She dumps him, has the baby without telling him and raises it with the help of her mother. Paa has been pitched as a father-son film but what works far better is the mother-son relationship. With a real tenderness, Balki establishes the love a mother has, even for this lumbering boodha baccha, as a character calls him.
Paa has been pitched as a father-son film but what works far better is the mother-son relationship. With a real tenderness, Balki establishes the love a mother has, even for this lumbering boodha baccha, as a character calls him But Balki's real triumph as a writer is the character of Auro. There is no trace of selfpity about him. He's witty, charming and pretty acidic when he wants to be. He calls his grandmother Bum because she has a big one. Unrecognizable under mounds of makeup, Amitabh Bachchan is astounding as Auro. His height is a bit jarring but his slouching shoulders and mischievous eyes more than make up for it. There isn't a discordant note in this performance. Abhishek is also nicely understated as the idealistic politician who finds out, too late, that he has a son. Vidya's character has the least clarity but she manages to bring some heft to it. The film unfortunately, isn't as smooth. The first half has a few jarring moments - at one point, we detour into Amol's political career, which leads to an unnecessary lecture on media responsibility - but mostly Balki keeps the plot on track.
January 2010 I 31 I KonnecTV
6 LETTER WORD SEARCH
FINISH THIS PICTURE
Fill in the missing pieces to make the 2nd picture look just like the first BEAUTY NOODLE SCREAM
GARDEN PUZZLE TUNNEL
HEAVEN RATTLE
LOWER RECORD
How Many Dinosaurs are in This Picture Scramble? January 2010 I 32 I KonnecTV
School crossword
The winners of our last month's contest on 'Visit to the Zoo' are Bhav Malhotra and Dhruv Uday Shankar. They win prizes of two passes each to the Featherdale Park, Sydney. The following are their entries: By BHAV MALHOTRA 9 years, Homebush West Public School
I
loved my fist visit to the zoo. I saw a lot of animals but my favourite was the seal. I saw the seals and they were doing a show. The zookeeper would throw a ball into the water. The seals would dive into the water and get the ball. Then they would put the ball on their noses and dance. It was fun and I loved the show. I did not have the time to see the lions but I did see them from far. I went home with my family after seeing all the other animals and had a wonderful time.
Painting by Bhav Malhotra
By DHRUV UDAY SHANKAR 7 years, Beecroft Primary School, Beecroft, NSW
I
went to Taronga Zoo last year. I saw a lot of animals like the red panda, elephant, zebra, penguin, bear, tiger, lion, emu, platypus, hippopotamus, lizard etc. I saw Asian elephants and learnt a lot about them like how they eat their food, drinking water. I was looking for lots of wild animals and I saw them all. It was my first day going to the zoo. I got a tiger toy at the end and it was great fun. I was absolutely overjoyed to see them all.
NEXT CONTEST Write a story on how you celebrated your birthday and send us some pictures. email:info@konnectv.com Send the entries (with passport size picture) to: KonnecTV, Suite 1B, 137-139 Silverwater Rd, Silverwater NSW 2128)
ACROSS 1 Numbers, numbers 4 Writing tool 6 Playtime 8 What happened in the past 11 School transportation 13 Ruler of the school 14 Small electronic machine used for numbers 15 Used for coloring
MYSTERY WORD Solution of last month
DOWN 1 La la la la 2 Measuring stick 3 Used for sticking things together 5 Removes chalk 7 Used to carry things to school 9 Experiements 10 Where food is served 12 In charge of the class
There will be a prize for the best story which will also be put up on the website.
Solution next month January 2010 I 33 I KonnecTV
T NEW YEAR'S CRAFTS What you'll need: For A Girl's Kit • White foam tiara • Craft gems (6-8 large, 20-25 medium) • 1 piece of card stock or construction paper • Small white feather boa
For A Boy's Kit • 2 large sheets of black craft foam • 1 sheet of black glitter felt • 2 feet of white ribbon • Pin back • 2 feet of black ribbon • Clean, empty vegetable can • 2- 2" wide strips of purple card stock • Small baggie of coins or beans Basic Supplies Needed for Assembly • Glitter glue - pink, purple, blue and green • Silver glitter • Scissors • Hot glue gun • White craft glue • Hole punch
How to make it:
Tiara & Horn 1. Use pink glitter glue to outline the white tiara. Allow to dry completely. 2. Glue craft gems to white tiara with white craft glue. 3. Roll card stock into a cone shape, secure with hot glue (white craft glue will take too long to dry). Trim end of horn to make it even. Decorate sides of horn with glitter glue. Dip end of horn in generous amount of white craft glue, then dip into or sprinkle with silver glitter. Let dry. 4. Wrap feather boa around your little one's neck and place the tiara on her head. Make fun sounds with your new horn!
Top Hat 1. On one of the purple strips of card stock, use blue glitter glue to write the number of the New Year. Let dry completely. 2. To create the top hat, roll a full sheet of black craft foam into a cylinder and use hot glue to hold it. 3. Stand black cylinder up on top of second black foam sheet. Draw a circle all the way around the cylinder about 2 inches out. Cut out circle. 4. Use a pen or pencil to trace the cylinder onto the circle. Remove cylinder and use pen lines as a guide. You want to cut out the center of the circle about one inch inside the cylinder tracing. You will need to be able to glue the top of the hat to the rim, so be careful you don't cut that part away. 5. After you have your "donut" shaped hat brim, hot glue the cylinder to the circle. 6. Turn hat upside down and use hole punch to make two holes on the inside edge of the "donut". These holes are for the ribbon that will secure the hat to the child's head. 7. Cut black ribbon in half to create two 12" pieces. Tie each piece through the punched holes. 8. Glue cardstock strip with year number onto the front of the hat. Use second strip to complete the brim and trim if necessary. January 2010 I 34 I KonnecTV
wo little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared before them and said, "I have been sent to give you New Year presents." She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone. Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls. Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. "I have brought you each another book?" said she, "and will take the first ones back to Father Time who sent them to you." "May I not keep mine a little longer?" asked Philip. "I have hardly thought about it lately. I'd like to paint something on the last leaf that lies open." "No," said the Fairy; "I must take it just as it is." "I wish that I could look through mine just once," said Carl; "I have only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day." "You shall look at your book," said the Fairy, "and Philip, at his." And she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw the pages as she turned them. The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches. Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last. "Who did this?" they asked. "Every page was white and fair as we opened to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!" "Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?" said the Fairy, smiling at the two little boys. "See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were singing with all its
The Fairy's
NEW YEAR Gift BY EMILIE POULSSON might, would never have been on this page if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling." "But what makes this blot?" asked Philip. "That," said the Fairy sadly; "that came when you told an untruth one day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl's, were made when you were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you were good." "Oh, if we could only have the books again!" said Carl and Philip. "That cannot be," said the Fairy. "See! they are dated for this year, and they must now go back into Father Time's bookcase, but I have brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful than the others." So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in his hand a new book open at the first page. And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, "For the New Year."
K
ATRINA KAIF, a former model, is
one of Bollywood's most sought after actresses. Initially she faced trouble settling in the industry due to her inability to speak Hindi fluently. She has now got over that period and gained popularity and a large fan base. It's very tough to forget her angelic face and perfect figure. Her innocent looking face has won over millions of heart and her sexy looks add more to the list. She was chosen as the 'Face of the Year' at Lakme India Fashion Week 2005. She has also been voted the "most luscious lips" in the film industry. No matter what the actress sports on the big screen, when it comes to her personal life she has some set rules regarding her looks and dresses. She might wear bold outfits on the screen but is most comfortable in not so revealing and comfi clothings when at home. And the one thing she hates is make up. Let's hear from the actress herself about her beauty tips: I kick start my day with three to four glasses of water. I am addicted to the Purifying Apricot Oil from Anne Semoin. My shortcut to beauty therapy is exercise - swimming, jogging, gymming - this gives blood circulation a boost and the skin feels healthier. My favourite beauty haunt is Shahnaz Herbal Clinic. I like to play up my eyes with lots of mascara by Yves Saint Laurent. A beauty rule that I follow is to always cleanse my face of all make-up, however tired I may be. I use a face wash by Mene & Moy which has two per cent salicylic acid and Lancome Cleansing Milk for the face and eyes. My skin behaves well if I use less make-up. My quick fix before a party is blow-drying my hair. I use a Kerastase product in my bath which leaves my hair soft and manageable. So styling comes easy. To deal with a beauty emergency I rely on a mineral mud mask by Anne Semoin. It calms my skin. My look for the coming season is traditional with more emphasis on the eyes with MAC kohl, keeping cheeks and lips neutral with a bronze highlighter from Laura Mercier and a MAC lip gloss in nude. My bedside table essentials are a body moisturizer from Clarins, vitamin C tablets and a book to learn Hindi! January 2010 I 36 I KonnecTV
�
Home is where good food is:
I
believe in one thing. It is food that can keep us fit and healthy. It is food that can make us unfit and unhealthy. So why not stick to the first type of food so that we can actually experience longevity? And this first type of food is clearly defined by me as home cooked. It could be hot rotis straight from the flame with a light drizzle of fragrant ghee, the long grains of dazzling white basmati grains that somehow make rajma or kadhi as precious as caviar or those spongy wadas that soak up the sambhar. Well, be it a pulao, or a khichdi, maybe a stew or dal rice, it could be some dry vegetable with roti, but traditional home recipes do wonders for the spirit. These recipes keep the heart ticking ensconced in warmth of tradition and cultural riches. Food eaten together keeps the family together and even if there are major time constraints I am sure something can be done to get hot food onto the table once a day ìthe more Indian it is the betterî the more traditional Indian it is the best!
Angoori Paneer Tikka Ingredients: Cottage cheese (paneer) 400 grams, Black grapes, chopped 1 cup, Oil 1 tablespoon + to shallow fry, Salt to taste, Black salt (kala namak) to taste, Gram flour (besan) 2 tablespoons, White pepper powder 1/2 teaspoon, Dry mango powder (amchur) 1/2 teaspoon, Saffron (kesar) a few strands, Milk 2 tablespoons, Fresh cream 1 cup, Jaggery (gur), grated 1 cup, Lemon juice 1 tablespoon, Chaat masala 2 tablespoons, Green capsicum, 1 inch pieces seeded 2 large, Tomatoes, 1 inch pieces seeded 2 large Method: Cut paneer into half centimeter slices. Heat oil in a pan, add black grapes and saute. Add salt, black salt and cook till soft. For marinade take besan in a bowl. Add salt, pepper powder, amchur and mix. Add saffron dissolved in milk, fresh cream and mix well. Add jaggery to the grapes along with lemon juice and mix well. Cook till thick. Place the paneer slices on a flat surface. Sprinkle salt and chaat masala on all of them. Spread some grape chutney evenly on half of the paneer slices and cover with the remaining paneer slices. Cut these paneer sandwiches into one inch squares. Take a skewer, thread on a capsicum piece, a tomato piece, one piece of paneer sandwich, followed by tomato and capsicum pieces. The tomato and capsicum pieces will keep the paneer pieces firmly in place. Similarly prepare the other skewers. Heat oil in a pan. Arrange the skewers on a plate. Pour the marinade over them to cover the paneer pieces properly on all sides. Place these skewers in the heated pan and cook till golden on all sides. Alternatively you can cook them in an oven. Preheat the oven to 200 C, place the skewers on a greased tray or on a rack and grill till golden from all sides. Serve hot with the remaining grape chutney.
Aloo Nazakath Ingredients: Potatoes 4 large, Oil 2 tablespoons + to deep fry, Ginger paste 1 ½ teaspoons, Garlic paste 1 1/2 teaspoons, Salt to taste, Yogurt, whisked 1 cup, Black salt (kala namak) 1/2 teaspoon, Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon, Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon, Roasted chana dal (dalia), powdered 3 tablespoons, Fresh coriander leaves, chopped 3 tablespoons, Mustard oil 2 tablespoons, Cottage cheese (paneer), grated 1/2 cup, Chaat masala 2 teaspoons, Green chillies, chopped 2, Fried papads, crushed 2 Method: Peel and scoop the potatoes leaving a shell all around. Heat sufficient oil in a kadai and deep-fry until the outer surface of the potatoes turn golden and the potatoes are cooked. Drain and place them on an absorbent paper. Preheat oven to 180ºC. Heat oil in a pan, add one teaspoon ginger-garlic paste. Chop the scooped out portion of the potatoes and add. Add salt and let it cook on medium heat. For marinade take yogurt in a bowl. Add salt, black salt, garam masala powder, red chilli powder, roasted chana dal powder, two tablespoons chopped coriander leaves, remaining ginger-garlic paste and mix. Add mustard oil and mix. Set aside. For stuffing take paneer in a bowl. Add salt, chaat masala, remaining coriander leaves, green chillies, the cooked potatoes, crushed fried papads and mix. Grease a baking tray. Stuff the potato shells generously with the paneer mixture. Put these stuffed potatoes in the yogurt marinade and mix well with a light hand. Let them stand for about thirty minutes. Arrange the stuffed potatoes on the baking tray and keep the tray in the preheated oven and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes. Serve hot.
Chicken Seekh Kabab Ingredients: Chicken mince 500 grams, Ginger paste 1/2 tablespoon, Garlic paste 1/2 tablespoon, Green chilli paste 1 teaspoon, Cashewnut paste 2 tablespoons, Chaat masala 1 teaspoon, Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon, White pepper powder 1 teaspoon, Fresh coriander leaves 2 tablespoons, Lemon juice 1 tablespoon, Salt to taste, Butter 2 tablespoons Method: Take chicken keema in a bowl. Add ginger-garlic-green chilli paste, cashewnut paste, chaat masala, garam masala powder, white pepper powder, coriander leaves, lemon juice and salt. Mix well with hands.Heat a tawa and drizzle some oil on it. Dampen your hands, take a little chicken mixture and spread it around a satay stick. Press firmly and place the seekh kababs on the tawa. Cook turning from time to time so that they get cooked evenly all around. Baste with butter or oil at regular intervals. Serve hot. January 2010 I 38 I KonnecTV
Buy Chef Kapoorís
PARTY COOKING by logging onto www.sanjeevkapoor.com
New Year forecast for you ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 Jupiter will transit house of gains till May 3rd before moving into 12th. Saturn on the other hand will continue to occupy sixth throughout 2010. Mars lord of first will occupy fourth and stay weak till May 26th before gathering strength. It is going to be a better year as far as the career is concerned. Jupiter's aspect on fifth and seventh will be beneficial. Pending issues related to a child will finally get settled before May 3rd. There will be an increase in the size of family. Marriage in case of bachelors and an addition in case of married is strong possibility.
LEO Jul 23-Aug 22 Saturn will stay in second house and continue its last leg of sadhe sati. Jupiter will stay in seventh till May 3rd before moving into eighth. Mars the Raja yoga karaka planet stays weak in 12th before finally gaining strength on May 26th. You will have no choice but to keep pouring in money into your projects or business hoping things to turn around any day. People prone to litigations should not let their guards down even for a minute as Saturn's transit in house of finances can drain you out through legal procedures. Jupiter's transit in seventh will be a blessing in this tricky time.
SAGITTARIUS Nov 23-Dec 22 Jupiter will transit third till May 3rd and then fourth house for remainder of 2010. Rahu will be in first and mars will be strong after May 26th. Saturn will continue is transit in tenth. Money wise it will be a better year by all means. You will start year with a positive trend and will be able to save a lot by the year end. You will be going on many trips in connection with business or job. Chance of moving to a better and bigger place becomes strong after May 3rd. Many good things will happen in second half. Your talents will be recognized and you may receive some kind of award also this year.
TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 Saturn the Raja Yoga Karka planet will continue to occupy fifth house the friendly sign Virgo throughout the year. Jupiter will occupy tenth house till May 3rd before moving into eleventh. Rahu will occupy eighth house for the whole time. Jupiter will create disturbance in career and you may not approve the way boss will add pressure and workload on you. As they say necessity is the mother of inventions, such unsatisfactory working conditions will make you look around and Saturn will help you locate a better job. Just remember what ever happen in career this year will prove to a blessing in disguise in time to come.
VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 Saturn will occupy first house and Jupiter will occupy sixth till May 3rd. Rahu will occupy fourth. Of course there is no escape from hard work for you this year. It will be a roller coaster ride. You will be working in a challenging environment. Initially competition will be too much but with hard work and patience you will make it in second half of 2010. You will be on your feet most of the time and some of you may have to stay and work away from family this year. Saturn will make you go through lots of heat in order to purify you and make better person. Rewards will come later on in life.
CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 19 Saturn will transit house of luck and Jupiter will stay in house of finances till May 3rd. Rahu will transit twelfth house in 2010. Things will start picking up and moving in positive directions but at a slow and steady speed. You will come out of fear and forget past bad experiences and move on with life. Health, self confidence will improve. Many new doors will open this year and offers you will come across will be better than expectations. You will see lots of money in your bank before the year ends. Victory in law suit will not only improve image but will be financially rewarding too.
GEMINI May 21-Jun 20 Ketu will transit over your sign and Saturn will stay in fourth throughout 2010. Jupiter will stay in ninth till May 3rd before moving into tenth. Mars the Red color planet will stay in house of family and finances till May 26th. You will be working extra hard and most of you will travel away from home in connection with work or business. Pay attention to what spouse says and do not be afraid to admit your mistakes other wise family life can get disturbed. If you get a chance to move towards direction west, grab it, will prove lucky for you. Bachelors may get involved with people from a different culture and if not careful will get hurt emotionally in the process.
LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 Saturn will transit twelfth house and Jupiter will stay in fifth till May third. Rahu will transit third house in 2010. Changes in career are certain. There will be major diversification. Some of you will try your hands in total different fields and will be successful. You will largely gain from overseas and number of trips to distant lands will increase too. You will have absolutely no difficulty in raising money for your projects. You will be full of energy and will not hesitate to take any risks in career. July and August will be very expensive and other wise also you need to be very careful with money during these two months.
AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 Saturn will transit eighth house, a negative place and Jupiter will transit first before moving into house of finances for remainder of 2010. Ashtam Shani is never considered good. Seems that good deeds performed in the past and blessings of a fatherly figure will come to your rescue and you will definitely survive couple of ugly situations in first half of 2010. Do not put all eggs in one basket and do not risk all you got. Professionally it will be a better year for people involved in research, development work. It will be a rewarding year for people working in emergency rooms or hospitals and Insurance industry.
CANCER Jun 21-Jul 22 Mars the Raja yoga karaka planet will stay weak till May 26th. Jupiter will transit eighth house till May 3rd before moving into house of luck for rest of 2010. Saturn will stay in third house. You will be working extra hard for first five months to meet and fulfill your commitments on time. Projects at this point will not give desired returns as estimated earlier but only after June, 2010. Do not feel frustrated and have confidence in your self. You just lack the Midas touch. Once Jupiter moves into house of luck on May 3rd, suddenly the whole scenario will change to your advantage.
SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 22 Saturn will transit house of gains with Jupiter in fourth till May 3rd before moving into trine for remainder of 2010. Rahu will transit house of family and finance. Your financial commitments are already on increase. Rahu will make a hole in your pockets and you may have to use your reserves till May 3rd. Once Jupiter moves into fifth, you will be on path of complete recovery. Investments made in early part of 2010 will start turning profitable and otherwise also many other doors to supplement income will open up. There will be expansions in career as well as family.
PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20 Jupiter will transit twelfth till May 3rd and first thereafter. Saturn will stay in seventh. Mars will stay in fifth till May 26th before moving into sixth. Things will keep working out in your favor in a mysterious way. There will be changes in career for sure. News will come sudden but you will keep escaping the worst. Those working part time or were without a job will start in a wonderful environment. You will take many long distance trips in connection with business or to sign an important contract. You will benefit from people living overseas I 2010. Mars in fifth will continue to keep your bank balance in positive territory.
by "Pandit Parashar"
January 2010 I 40 I KonnecTV